The Bruins enter Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final Monday at TD Garden with a 7-2 record in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

They hope to continue their solid play in front of the faithful and grab a series lead on the Chicago Blackhawks by riding the energy of the crowd.

“It’s always a lot of fun to be in your hometown and play in front of your crowd, especially in the finals where everything is so crazy,” Bruins forward Brad Marchand said after the team’s morning skate. “You saw how Chicago was. It was still fun to be in an atmosphere like that but we are very happy to be home.”

In the Bruins’ nine home games, they have averaged 2.89 goals per game. Meanwhile, they’ve allowed just 1.89 goals per game to the opposition. In the 2011 Cup final against the Vancouver Canucks, the Bruins were 3-0 on home ice.

“Obviously, I think ever since I’ve been here the crowds have been unbelievable,” forward Shawn Thornton said. “And we’ve had the same core group of guys around for the last six years. So I think that we appreciate this building and we like playing in here.”

At morning skate, the Bruins utilized the same forward lines that helped them win Game 2 in overtime Saturday. The only change to the Blackhawks’ lineup is scheduled to be Viktor Stalberg skating on the fourth line instead of Brandon Bollig.

I checked it. It’s the same as Seguins. You’re right about the Detroit model or even Chicago. Who are Niemi and Crawford for two cups Alex? Check out Patrice’s injury or time missed. It would make a Hypo blush. Flu,Personal reasons,lower body,upper body. He’s missed over 100 games in eight years. 2011 missed vital games against Tampa. 2012 missed games 6/7 against Washington. This year games 5/6 he was there but 4 of 9 on faceoffs and zero shots in game 6. I’m sorry but you need more out of a second line center. He’s a twenty goal scorer playing with good players and he’s not someone I’d count on for eight more years. These two contracts will kill this franchise for some time. I think he’s a phony and just like the Kool-Aid drinkers I could be right too.

3 putts
You are wrong about Bergeron. You need to check the +/- statistics to find Patrice’s real worth. He is injured because he plays so hard.
In the case of Rask’s contract, I’m like the Detroit model where you sink more money into your position players and less into a goalie. I also think that allowing Khudobin to walk for $800, 000 is a mistake.

6,5 million face-off guy. Great. We all know faceoffs win series. Oh wait they owned T.O but should have lost. They won more than Chicago but we all know how that helped. At least he’s got his Savard retirement contract. Hurt every playoff. Every F&(^ing playoff. I’ve played with guys like him. Always has an excuse when they don’t perform and when they do they’re heroic. Can’t lose.

bruins16
What do you think of the Rask contract. I don’t like anything over 5 years but I understand why Chia had to do it. He’s in the prime of his career. I think getting back to the finals this year will be tough. Both heavy minute D-men(Chara/Seids) aren’t getting any younger with a very short summer. It will be tough no doubt about it.

Wideman had more points then Bergeron that year. He led the team. He was only used for faceoffs because he was injured again. If he’s on the olympic team this year then I don’t know a thing about hockey. If you think he should be on it then we’ll see who’s right.

3putts
He only was used for face-offs against the Americans because he was injured. The B’s lost to the Flyers because they had a couple of d-men that were pushed off the puck (Wideman) and only had 3 effective lines. That is why they traded for Horton and Campell. You need to watch closer and by knowledgeable of all the facts. As well, in the Cup run there were times that Bergeron outplayed Toews.

I just think the press has gone overboard on the guy. He’s a good player but he’s not near a Toews or Datsuyk. He can’t skate ten feet with the puck because someone’s gaining. Watching him and Jagr go through the neutral zone was painful. He sat against the Americans when Babcock realized he was getting left behind. He’s good along the wall and at faceoffs but after that I don’t know. He missed vital games against Tampa in 2011 and was ineffective in the biggest games against Chicago because of multiple injuries. I cringe everytime he gets hit and his escapabilty is nill. I know the press loves him and like I said he’s a good player but if Krejci went down like the Flyers series this team is in deep trouble. He’s the best player on this team but gets little notice.

3putts
I can see why you liked Daugavins after stating that you’re not a Bergeron fan. I’m just thankful that your NOT the gm. Campell and Bergeron epitomize the meaning of a Bruin heart. Horton had very little physicality to his game and lived off the efforts of Lucic and Krecji. The present has made solid hockey decisions for the most part; that’s why the B’s play late into the spring.

I don’t have a problem trading Seguin. Time will tell if the trade was fair. I’m not a Bergy fan. I think he’s as phony as they come. Hopefully Savard’s contract will be done before Bergeron goes on LTD. He’s missed too many big games or played “hurt” far too much if you ask me. All that second line had to do was score some goals and maybe we’re talking a different story. I know the first line had it much tougher and produced more but not a peep about their courage. Horton was plus 20 or so. Not a word about him. No just Bergy’s a warrior. He’s got a big heart. He’s a warrior that’s in the MASH unit while everyone else is going over the top.

Alfreddson likes the Detroit style of game as compared to Boston, and Horton was annoyed that the Bruins didn’t do much negotiating, which they shouldn’t have, during the season. Seguin deserved to be traded if he is out partying late at night during the playoffs. The trade may turn out to be good for the B’s down the road. And, Bergeron will get more than five million, he deserves it at today’s rates.

Why do players want to go to Detroit or Colombus over Boston? They have to trade guys to get them here. Is it smug Chia or fun filled Claude? No backyards? Too many Liberal Elites? Too many grinders? Takes three years to feel welcome? I give up.

Now the Bruins have two guys that could go around somebody in this league.(Marchand/Krejci) If Bergeron gets one cent above 5 million I’m done with this team. Checking centres that miss alot of important games but are still heroes deserve about three million.

Casey
I think Krug fills a need for the Bruins regarding a puck-moving d-man. I like him here and he uses his body as well as he can. I think they should pair him with Boychuk, so he gets more ice time.

I’d give him some games up there to get his feet wet. It would be a good contingency plan. I don’t understand why they broke up a successful 2nd line in the playoffs. That second line was slow and inconsistent. Jagr was living off his rep. and Bergeron was busy building that playing hurt legend.

Why does Horton want out? I do wonder that with all the winning the B’s do , it doesn’t seem like a fun place. Trade Bergeron to Edmonton for next years first round lottery pick. I hear they want to trade Seguin. Maybe they could get some more third liners for him. That first round pick for Jagr should have been on condition of a Cup win.

Anybody can play hurt. That doesn’t impress me. Playing hurt and producing. Now that’s impressive. Bruins couldn’t wait to list their excuses.(injuries). Just imagine if Bergeron was a Euro. People would say how he’s hurt all the time. He’s not so he’s courageous and a warrior.

This team will not go down without a fight! A friend of mine spoke to CK23 today and the guys are pumped. He said they play their best when they are faced with a great challenge. They will surprise all of you tomorrow led by Bergy. My thinking is they need to come out and build a lead (two or more) then tight defense will settle in and could be the harbinger for seventh-heaven…

Regardless of the outcomes of Monday or Wednesday this team is still champions. Champions of the East when not many had them here. This has been another great spring to be a Bruins fan. I hope they can dig down and bring it back to Chicago and let 2KA bring home Conny and Stanley.

Frank Selke didn’t get hurt backchecking in game four. I wonder what it is now? Marchand, Seguin and Soderberg for the second line. What else you gonna do.Jagr doesn’t cut it for me, at least not against a fast team.

Can’t believe some of the Hawk players said they played a good road game but just didn’t score…Huh?! And their coach seems lost for explanations and in-game adjustments. One more game like this–and they’re done!